CEDEC International Schools: ADMISSIONS POLICY

· Linked Policies Area: School Fees Policy
· Date: 1 January, 2026
· Review Frequency: Annual
· Next Review Date: 2 January, 2026
· Responsible Officer: Head of Admissions / Organisational Development Manager

1. SCOPE

This Admissions Policy applies to:

· All CEDEC International Schools campuses
· All year groups, from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12.
· All admissions pathways, including local and international applicants.
· All entry points: standard enrolment, mid-year admission, transition between school sections, and re-entry after withdrawal.

This policy must be adhered to by all staff involved in admissions decisions, communication, assessment, data handling and parent engagement.

2. Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of this Admissions Policy is to:

Establish clear, transparent and fair processes for admitting pupils into all year groups across CEDEC International Schools, ensuring consistency and equity for all prospective families.
Ensure that admissions decisions uphold the school’s standards for academic readiness, social–emotional wellbeing, behavioural expectations and overall suitability for the CEDEC learning environment.
Promote diversity, inclusivity and equal opportunity, reflecting the school’s commitment to serving families from a wide range of cultural, socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. CEDEC does not discriminate based on disability, nationality, religion, gender.
Provide clear guidance to parents, staff and prospective pupils regarding entry criteria, assessment procedures, required documentation, timelines and expectations during the admissions process.
Support transparent communication between the school and families, ensuring that all stakeholders understand the requirements for placement, progression and conditional offers.
Align admissions processes with the school’s mission and vision, ensuring that new pupils admitted are positioned to thrive academically, socially and personally within the CEDEC International Schools community.

3. Guiding Principles

CEDEC International Schools is committed to maintaining a fair, transparent and rigorous admissions process that reflects our values and supports student success. Our guiding principles are as follows:

Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion: The School welcomes pupils from a wide range of cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Admissions decisions reflect our aim to build an inclusive learning community where every child can thrive.
Placement in age-appropriate year groups unless exceptional circumstances apply:
In line with international best practice, pupils are ordinarily placed according to their age as at 1st September of the admission year. Exceptions may be made only when evidence demonstrates that an alternative placement better supports the child’s academic and social development.
Admission based on academic readiness, behavioural suitability and social development: CEDEC admits students who demonstrate the potential to succeed within our curriculum. Consideration is given to academic assessments, behaviour history, learning needs, and the ability to positively contribute to school life.
Evidence-based decisions using assessments, interviews and past school records:
Decisions are informed by CEDEC-administered assessments, interviews with Heads of School or designated staff, previous school reports, and any relevant diagnostic or specialist documentation.
Partnership between school and parents to promote student success:
The School expects that parents and guardians will fully support their child’s learning journey and work collaboratively with staff to ensure positive academic and social outcomes.

4. Eligibility and Year Group Placement

Placement by Age: Pupils are ordinarily placed in year groups after academic evaluations and assessments, according to their age as at 1st September of the admission year (See appendix).
Requests for Non-Standard Placement: A request for a child to be placed outside their age-appropriate year group will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. Such decisions will be guided by the following:

Documented evidence (e.g., previous school reports, psychological or educational evaluations, samples of work).
English Proficiency
School-administered assessments to determine academic readiness and learning needs.
An interview with the pupil, and where applicable, the parent/guardian.
Review and approval by the Head of School, who will make the final determination based on the child’s academic capabilities, social maturity and individual circumstances.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

The decision to offer a place to a prospective student is taken by the individual Heads of Schools to whom the student has applied. The Head of school is supported by the Admissions Team.

5.1 Admissions Team

· Serves as the first point of contact for enquiries.

· Verifies application documents and schedules assessments.

· Ensures communication with families is timely and accurate.

· Maintains secure online and physical admissions records.

· Supports the Admissions Committee with collated data for decision-making.

· Maintains the admissions register in accordance with regulatory requirements.

· Oversees the administrative completion of enrolment once an offer is accepted.

5.2 Accounts Officer

· Ensures fees, invoices and payment clearance are accurately processed.

· Ensures uniforms, shoes, books and other paid benefits are given to the child.

5.3 Heads of Primary and Secondary

· Issues admission letters, acceptance forms and joining instructions.

· Conducts or delegate interviews for applicants.

· Review assessment results and behavioural/background reports.

· Provide recommendations to the Admissions Committee.

· Approve non-standard placements and lower-year placement decisions.

· Ensures alignment between admissions practices and the school's mission and policies.

5.4 Superintendent / Senior Leadership Team (SLT)

· Approves major updates to the Admissions Policy.

· Reviews annual admissions trends and capacity planning.

· Supports improvements to admissions processes, systems and communication.

· Acts as the final decision-maker for appeals and complex cases.

· Provides strategic oversight of all admissions across CEDEC campuses.

6. Admissions Priorities

Where the number of qualified applicants exceeds available spaces, CEDEC International Schools applies the following order of priority, provided all admissions requirements are met:

Current CEDEC pupils progressing naturally from one school section to the next (e.g., Early Years to Primary, Primary to Secondary).
Siblings of current CEDEC pupils.
Children of Alumni
Children of full-time CEDEC staff.
Children transferring from affiliated, partner, or network schools, where applicable.
Qualified applicants, ranked according to the chronological order in which their completed application forms and application fees were received.

7. Admissions Stages and Procedures

7.1 Enquiry Stage

Parents or guardians may initiate an admission enquiry through:

Online Enquiry: Completion of the online enquiry/application form on the school website.
In-Person Enquiry: Visit to the school campus to complete the enquiry or application form with support from the Admissions Office.

At this stage, the Admissions Team provides:

Access to the School Information Pack (overview of curriculum, ethos, policies and programmes)
Updated Fee Schedule
Assessment dates, timelines, and next steps in the admissions process

7.2 Application Submission

Parents submit the following:

Completed Application Form (online or hard copy)
Application/Registration Fee
Required supporting documents:

Birth Certificate
One recent passport photograph of the child
One recent passport photograph of each parent/guardian
Previous school reports (where applicable)
Immunisation record/card
Bio-data page of international passport (for foreign nationals)
Copies of examination certificates for terminal classes like Year 6, and Year 9.

Applications without required documentation may delay assessment scheduling. Applications with falsified report cards or forged documents of any form, will be disregarded.

7.3 Scheduling of Assessments

The Admissions Office assigns available assessment dates based on the applicant’s year group.
For overseas applicants or those unable to attend in person, CEDEC may arrange:

supervised assessments at the child’s current school, or
remote/online testing under approved supervision.

Parents receive written confirmation of assessment schedules.

7.4 Assessments and Interviews

CEDEC International Schools will not admit students into Year 12 class. Assessments into eligible classes are detailed below:

· Primary School (Kindergarten – Year 6): Applicants will undergo:

o Baseline literacy and numeracy assessments
o Teacher-led observation or informal play-based assessment for Early Years
o A meeting/interview with the Head of Primary School (or designated representative)

· Secondary School (Years 7 – 11): Applicants will complete:

o English and Mathematics assessments
o Additional subject-specific tests for entry into Year 10–12
o An interview with the Head of Secondary School or other academic leaders

7.5 Special Circumstances Consideration

Adjustments, rescheduling, or modified assessments may be offered in cases such as:

Illness on the assessment day
Extended absence from school
Transitioning from a different curriculum system
Identified additional learning needs

Parents may provide supporting documentation, including medical reports, psycho-educational assessments, or reports from previous schools.

7.6 Review of Results

All assessments are marked internally by qualified academic staff.
The Admissions Committee and/or respective Heads of School review:

assessment outcomes,
interview feedback,
previous school records and reports,
behavioural and conduct information (where provided).

Parents are invited for a formal results discussion meeting to explain outcomes and next steps.

7.7 Decision Categories

·       Offer of Admission (Conditional)
o   Issued when the applicant meets CEDEC’s academic, behavioural and social readiness standards.
o   The offer is conditional upon the payment of one full fees (termly, registration, uniforms, etc) within one week of offering the admission.
o   Failure to pay within the deadline results in automatic withdrawal of the offer.
·       Offer After Additional Evaluation
o   If a child does not demonstrate readiness at their age-appropriate level, additional assessment using materials from a lower year group may be conducted.
o   Where appropriate, an offer may be made for placement in a lower year group, in line with the school’s year placement policy.
o   Such placements require approval by the Head of School.
·       No Offer
o   Issued when interview with parents/guardians show that they may not be a best fit for the school (e.g., refusal to follow policies, behavioural hostility, repeated misrepresentation etc).
o   For instances where the child is unable to successfully pass assessments, parents may be informed that the student can re-sit the assessment after six months, in line with best practice.

·       Waiting List Placement
o   Applied when a class has reached full capacity.
o   Ranking on the waiting list follows:
§ date of completed application,
§ date of payment,
§ and the school’s priority rules.
Waiting list positions are not disclosed to parents.

8. Acceptance and Enrolment

Successful applicants receive a formal Admission Letter, Invoice, and Next Steps. Parents must confirm acceptance by paying a deposit equivalent to one term’s fees. If this payment is not made by the stated deadline, the offer may be withdrawn and the place reassigned.
A place is confirmed only upon:

payment of one full term’s fees, and
submission of all required enrolment documents.

If payment is not made by the specified deadline, the offer is forfeited and may be given to the next eligible applicant.
No student may attend classes or appear on the school roll until:

All fees are fully paid,
all documents are submitted,
and the enrolment process is fully completed.

9. Additional Educational Needs

CEDEC International Schools is committed to supporting pupils with diverse learning needs within the limits of available facilities and expertise.

·       The school will make reasonable accommodations for children with identified or suspected additional educational needs, disabilities, learning differences or developmental delays.
·       Where additional needs are indicated, the Admissions Office may request further documentation such as:
o   educational psychologist reports,
o   medical or behavioural assessments,
o   previous Individualised Education Plans (IEPs),
o   reports or assessment data from previous schools.
·       Pupils may undergo further screening or assessments administered by CEDEC staff to determine whether the school can reasonably support their learning profile.
·       Admission decisions will consider:
o   the child’s ability to interact with the CEDEC curriculum without undue distress,
o   availability of appropriate support,
o   the school’s capacity to ensure the child’s educational progress and social development.

· Parents must disclose all relevant information during the application process. Failure to disclose may result in withdrawal of an offer if the school later determines that it cannot meet the child’s needs.

10. Overseas Applicants

CEDEC International Schools welcomes applications from families relocating from other countries. Applicants living abroad may sit their assessments through:

· supervised online testing, or
· partner/previous school invigilation, subject to CEDEC approval.

Where feasible, assessments will be conducted online with the appropriate Head of School. If an assessment and interview cannot be conducted before arrival, the child may be granted provisional admission, subject to:

· an in-person assessment and interview upon arrival, and
· confirmation that the school can meet the child’s academic and social needs.

If subsequent in-person assessments indicate that CEDEC cannot support the applicant adequately, the provisional offer may be withdrawn.

11. Admission Appeals

CEDEC International Schools is committed to ensuring fairness, transparency and consistency throughout the admissions process. Parents who believe that an application decision did not follow established procedures may request a review under the following guidelines:

11.1 Grounds for Appeal

Appeals may be made only on the basis of procedural fairness, such as:

· An error in the administration of the admissions process.
· Missing or overlooked documentation that could materially affect the decision.
· Incorrect application of the school’s admissions criteria.

Appeals cannot be made based on:

· Disagreement with professional judgement,
· Subjective comparison with other applicants, or
· Pressure to override assessment outcomes.

11.2 Appeal Procedure

·       Submission of Appeal: Parents submit a written request for reconsideration to the Head of Schools within 5 working days of receiving the admission decision.
·       Review Process: The Head of Schools, supported by the Admissions Committee, will:
o   Re-examine the applicant’s file,
o   Review assessment procedures, documentation, and interview notes,
o   Confirm whether all steps were conducted fairly and in accordance with policy.
·       Outcome of Appeal: The decision after review may:
o   Uphold the original outcome, or
o   Authorise a new assessment or secondary review if a procedural issue is confirmed.
·       Confidentiality of Results: Consistent with international best practice and the attached reference policy, assessment scores or test papers will not be released.
·       Re-assessment Opportunities: Applicants who are not offered a place may be permitted to re-sit assessments after the required interval, after six (6) months, to allow sufficient time for academic improvement.

The decision of the Head of Schools or Superintendent after an appeal review is final.

12. COMMUNICATION STANDARDS

CEDEC International Schools upholds transparent, timely and professional communication during all admissions interactions.

12.1 Response Time Standards

· Enquiries will be acknowledged within 48 hours.

· Completed applications will be confirmed within 3 working days.

· Assessment schedules must be communicated at least 5 working days in advance.

· Decisions (Offer/No Offer/Waiting List) must be communicated within 5 working days after assessment.

12.2 Format of Communication

All official decisions must be communicated:

· In writing via email from the Admissions email address (primary method).

· With a formal letter attached (Offer Letter, Conditional Offer, No Offer Letter).

12.3 Communication With Families

· All communication must be respectful, accurate, and free of judgment.

· Staff must avoid promising placement or outcomes before the Admissions Committee’s decision.

· Clarifications must be documented in the applicant’s file.

12.4 Communication During Appeals

Acknowledgement of appeal request must be sent within 5 working days.
Final appeal decision must be communicated within 15 working days of receiving all relevant documentation.

13. ADMISSIONS TIMELINES & ADMISSIONS CYCLE CALENDAR

13.1 Annual Admissions Cycle

Timeline	Activity
September – October	Release of updated admissions information for the next session.
October – April	Application window for the following academic year.
November – May	Entrance assessments for local and overseas applicants.
January – June	Offers, conditional offers, and waiting list placements issued.
August	Orientation communication and induction material sent to new families.
September	Start of the academic year.

13.2 Mid-Year Admissions

· Accepted only if space permits.

· Assessment and interview occur within 7 working days of application.

13.3 Assessment Scheduling Timeline

· Applicants must be assessed within 10 working days of submitting a complete application file.

· Overseas assessments must be scheduled within 15 working days.

15. Policy Review

To maintain consistency with CEDEC’s strategic goals, evolving best practices, and regulatory expectations, this policy is subject to regular annual review.

15.1 Review Cycle

· The Admissions Department, in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), will conduct a comprehensive review of the Admissions Policy every academic year.
· Feedback from Heads of School, the Registrar, classroom teachers, and parent interactions may be incorporated into the review.

15.2 Approval of Updates

· Recommended updates will be submitted to the Superintendent for formal approval. Once approved, the revised policy will be:

o   Communicated to all relevant staff,
o   Updated on the school’s website and admissions portal,
o   Implemented at the beginning of the next admissions cycle unless otherwise directed.

Appendix A: CEDEC International Schools: Complete Admissions Process (Start-to-Finish)

1.      Parent Shows Interest (Enquiry Stage): Here, parent visits campus, calls, or fills an online or in-person enquiry/application form. The online form is available here https://forms.gle/XjLY1J1WYmKN8UxP9 . Admission team receives application, and provides a link to School Information Pack (School Policies, Prospectus, Students’ Code of Conduct, Assessment info)
2.      Parent Submits relevant documents like birth certificate, passport photos, immunisation record, previous school reports, passports (if foreign), certificates (Y6/Y9), etc.
3.      Admissions Team Schedules Assessments. Once the application and documents are complete, assessment date is assigned based on the child’s year group.
4.      Child Completes Required Assessments & Interview
5.      Review of Results & Background Information. Parents are invited for a results discussion meeting.
6.      Admission Decision is taken and communicated to parents.
7.      Parent Accepts Offer & Pays Required Fees
8.      Administrative Completion & Onboarding. Fee confirmation, receipts and invoicing, Issuing uniforms, shoes, books and paid items. Creation of student file and addition to admissions register.
9.      Pre-Resumption Communication. Before school resumes, parents receive Orientation details, class placement
10. Child Resumes School (First Day Attendance)

Appendix B: Class Placement by Year Group

AGE (YEARS) AS AT 1^ST OF SEPTEMBER	CEDEC YEAR LEVEL	SCHOOL SECTION
2	Early Risers	NURSERY & PRIMARY SCHOOL
3	Emergers
4	Discovery
5	Explorers
6	YEAR 1
7	YEAR 2
8	YEAR 3
9	YEAR 4
10	YEAR 5
11	YEAR 6
12	YEAR 7	SECONDARY SCHOOL
13	YEAR 8
14	YEAR 9
15	YEAR 10
16	YEAR 11
17	YEAR 12

Pages

Thursday, January 29, 2026

ADMISSIONS POLICY

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